Russia threatens to deactivate American GPS stations on its territory

Russia is going to suspend the operation of all American GPS sites on its territory, said Russia’s deputy PM, Dmitry Rogozin, who is in charge of space and defense industries.

“Starting June 1, we will halt the work of those stations on Russian territory,” Rogozin said.

He said Russia will suspend the work of U.S. GPS stations located on its territory, if no agreement is reached to set up GLONASS ground stations on U.S. territory until May 31. The Russian official added that the American stations were deployed in Russia in line with the agreements signed in 1993 and 2011. “In accordance with these agreements, eleven GPS stations are located in ten Russian regions,” he said.

“We’re starting negotiations which will last for three months. We hope that by the end of summer, these talks will bring a solution that will allow our cooperation to be restored on the basis of parity and proportionality,” Rogozin said.

But if the negotiations turn out to be fruitless, operation of the 11 American GPS stations in Russia will “be permanently terminated” from September 1, he warned.